Cheryl’s ex ‘has hired top divorce lawyer’

JEAN-BERNARD Fernandez-Versini has reportedly hired one of the UK’s top divorce lawyers, prompting fears for Cheryl that he could try to claim as much as £5million (€6.1million) of her fortune. The nightclub entrepreneur, left, appears to be playing hardball after he dumped his legal team and looks set to try to negotiate a better settlement. A friend of the pop star told The Mirror: ‘She just wants this settled and to move on with life. ‘The legal dispute should have been long finished by now but he clearly wasn’t satisfied with what was on the table and has decided to try a new team.’ The former couple have now been separated for a year – after an 18-month marriage – but have still not agreed to a division of assets. Another sticking point has been a non-disclosure agreement, designed to shield details about the pair’s private life from the public. The source said it was a shame they split, and added: ‘They had a lovely time together and for a long time a good marriage, which sadly didn’t work out because over time they found they were quite different people.’ Cheryl, 32, right, is now dating 22-yearold One Direction star Liam Payne after they got together a few months ago. Despite having a fortune estimated at €19.7million from her singing career and brand endorsements, Cheryl never signed a pre-nup before marrying. After their split in December last year, Jean-Bernard had said he would not fight for a share of Cheryl’s wealth. Since the uncoupling the Frenchman is reported to have found solace in his exwife’s friend, Vanessa Perroncel. Cheryl recently followed in the footsteps of Madonna and Adele by ditching her last name in a rebrand, after her split.